Only a handful of guests and not even a best man

The "low-key" wedding of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles could scarcely be in starker contrast to the ceremonial glitz of his first marriage in 1981.

It is expected that only a handful of people will attend the civil procedure at Windsor's Guildhall, compared with the 3,000 crammed into St Paul's Cathedral 24 years ago. Only the couple's children and bodyguards are likely to attend - there will not even be a best man.

The wedding is likely to take place in the main chamber of the building, which was designed by Sir Christopher Wren. It is usually used for council meetings and inquests.

A local registrar will conduct the half-hour ceremony in a room dominated by a picture of an unsmiling George V and Queen Mary. It can seat 100 people but only a fraction of the space will be needed. The room, which costs ?156 an hour to hire, is likely to be made available for the couple for the whole day, although Windsor and Maidenhead council officials insist no other couples have had their plans "bounced" to make way for the heir to the throne.

The Prince will probably wear a Savile Row suit rather than the Royal Naval uniform he wore at his wedding to Lady Diana Spencer. The switch from Windsor Castle, the original planned venue, is a security nightmare for the royal protection squad. The Guildhall is a public building and members of the public will get a good view of the couple arriving and leaving.

However, the elite protection squad, SO14, are adamant that no member of the public will be allowed near the guests. After the civil ceremony, the couple will travel the few hundred yards to St George's Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle for a religious blessing. This will be attended by the Queen and other members of the royal family, according to aides of the Prince.

This will be followed by a reception at the Castle itself, which is being paid for by the Queen. The reception is likely to be attended by members of other royal families close to Charles. But it will be a far cry from the scenes in 1981 when every reigning monarch from around the world as well as presidents, prime ministers and other leaders packed St Paul's.

The Guildhall was chosen after it emerged that obtaining a wedding licence for the castle - as originally planned - would mean anyone could apply to get married there for the next three years.